It is reported that former IBO Middleweight champion Daniel Geale (21-1, 13KO’s) will take on American Billy Lyell (19-7, 3KO’s) in his hometown of Launceston, Tasmania in mid October. Geale’s manager Bill Treacy told the Tasmanian Mercury, “The bout will be in the last two weeks of October and we should there in the next 24 hours now contracts have been sent to the USA. It is also likely, but not yet 100% that Anthony Mundine will defend his IBO middleweight title on the same bill and we will look to try and get a rematch for Daniel for the IBO middleweight title in the new year.”

The 24 year old Lyell, from Youngstown, Ohio caused a big upset in his last fight in April when he won a split decision over fancied contender John Duddy over ten rounds in Newark, New Jersey. Geale is looking to return after his disputed split decision loss to Anthony Mundine in Brisbane in May which has been the subject of an official protest to the IBO. He is ranked IBF#6 and with Lyell ranked IBF#12 it should help him move up the rankings, closer to a fight for the IBF 160 pounds title, which is likely to be vacated by Arthur Abraham as he joins the Showtime 168 pound tournament.

It had been reported that IBO super-middleweight champion Sakio Bika (27-3, 18KO’s) was in discussions with Anthony Mundine for an upcoming bout, but Bika told the Brisbane Times this week that no formal talks had taken place as yet, but it was a match up that interested him. The 30 year old, who won the Contender Series in 2007 stated, “If they want this fight to happen then they should just call my promoter Jeff Wald, then we can sit down and negotiate. Everyone wants to see this fight happen.”

WBC, WBA and IBF super-flyweight “king” Vic Darchinyan (32-2, 26KO’s) is weighing up his future options after his loss at bantamweight in Florida for the IBF title against Joseph Agbeko in July. His manager Elias Nasser told the Sydney Morning Herald this week, “We are not sure whether Vic will stay at super-flyweight where he has to defend his IBF title against mandatory contender Simphiwe Nongqayi or we can set up a fight for the WBO title against Jose Lopez of Puerto Rico, who Vic will go through very quickly. That would make Vic a holder of all the belts at 115 pounds.” The 33 year old Darchinyan is recovering in Armenia with friends and family after suffering 44 stitches to his face following his bruising battle with Agbeko which he lost by a close but unanimous decision.